December 2010

“If you stand quietly, one of them might land on you.” So said “Butterfly Mike,” butterfly keeper for the Butterflies! exhibit at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Not likely, I thought, with a couple dozen other noisy lookiloos lurking about. read more »

New York City’s bustling Times Square annually hosts one of the world’s most famous New Year’s celebrations. In anticipation of the famous ball drop, more than a million revelers throng the square each Dec. 31, jockeying for places and sightlines. Millions more tune in to watch the televised festivities from the comfort of their homes. read more »

Two years ago, on Christmas morning, my husband and I surprised our then 9-year-old niece and 7-year-old nephew with a trip to Disneyland. After a moment of initial shock, the kids went absolutely nuts. Their ecstatic, over-the-moon reaction told us we’d just nailed the award for “best aunt and uncle — ever!” And in terms of holiday getaways, our Disneyland Christmas adventure was one of our best vacations ever. read more »